Diversity The Driving Force Behind New Children’s Book

It is important that children see themselves, their ethnicity, and culture reflected in the books they read – it helps them learn about themselves and makes them feel like they belong. This was the inspiration for and driving force behind NANDI IN KWAZULU, a newly released children’s book by teacher and first-time author Praline Hudson.  Hudson released her book on World Book Day, this past weekend in Barcelona, Spain.

The book tells the story of Nandi and her friends growing up in a carefree KwaZulu-Natal, and the fun involved in an age-old game.

Inspired by her South African roots the author, who has been an early years educator for thirty years, wanted to contribute towards diversity in children’s literature while fostering a love of language and reading: “I decided to write this story because of the lack of representation I found of people of colour in the storybooks I was reading to my three daughters some twenty years ago. While things have thankfully changed since then, we must not tire of bringing books based on the diversity of our planet to little ones,” she says. “I want children to read this book to experience the joy of reading, to experience how language can transport one and to discover the characteristics of people and their lands.”

The richly and beautifully illustrated book is perfect for the 0 to 5 age range, when it can be enjoyably read by parents to their children, as well as for the 6 to 7 age group, who can read the story of Nandi for themselves.

Choosing to write for children aged 0 to 7 years was deliberate. “As an early years educator, I am still amazed daily at the capacity for young minds to absorb and to grasp experiences with curiosity and openness,” says the author. “I believe that we can forge an amazing world for all by showing children that diversity is enriching and by opening their minds to learning about all those who inhabit our planet, from every corner of the earth.”

Originally from Durban in South Africa, Praline has been living in Barcelona, Spain since 1994. The Montessori-trained teacher and mother of three, who has always had a love of writing, decided to pursue her dream of crafting a children’s book during the initial COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.

“María Montessori spoke about fantasy and how we could enrich young minds with amazing stories based on our real world. This stuck with me, and the result is NANDI IN KWAZULU, a fictional tale based in my motherland! I hope that my book will reach many hands and be shared with as many little people as possible.”

NANDI IN KWAZULU, published by Fox Editions, is available from Amazon.

The book will also be available via Ethnikids in South Africa, soon.

About Praline Hudson

Praline Hudson is a South African born author and teacher who currently lives in Spain.

She recently released her first children’s book, Nandi in Kwazulu, illustrated by Joel Calvó, published by Fox Editions and available on Amazon.

Born in Durban, Hudson attended the University of KwaZulu-Natal before leaving to discover Europe and the world. She ended up staying in London for two years, where she completed her International Montessori Diploma.

She moved to Spain in 1994, where she works as an admissions officer in an International School.

Whilst she has an appreciation for classic literature, Praline admires the works of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Maya Angelou, and other inspirational writers.

In addition to writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking long walks, yoga and baking.

The author is also a keen traveller and sings in a gospel choir.

pralinehudson.com


Diversiteit Is Die Hoofdryfveer Agter Nuwe Kinderboek

Dit is belangrik dat die boeke wat kinders lees hulle etnisiteit en kultuur weerspieël, omdat dit hulle meer oor hulleself leer en laat voel dat hulle êrens hoort. Dít was die inspirasie en dryfveer agter NANDI IN KWAZULU, Praline Hudson se eerste kinderboek. Hudson het haar boek die afgelope naweek op op Wêreldboek-dag in Barcelona, Spanje bekendgestel.

Hierdie boek vertel die storie van Nandi en haar vriende se sorgvrye kinderjare in KwaZulu-Natal en die genot wat ’n eeueoue speletjie aan hulle verskaf.

Dié Suid-Afrikaanse skrywer, wat al vir dertig jaar in voorskoolse onderrig spesialiseer, wou met haar eerste vrystelling bydra tot diversiteit in kinderliteratuur en liefde vir taal en lees kweek: “Ek het besluit om die storie te skryf omdat die boeke wat ek twintig jaar gelede vir my drie dogters gelees het, nie mense van kleur verteenwoordig het nie. Al het dinge gelukkig met tyd verander, moet ons nie huiwer om boeke wat gebaseer is op diversiteit met kinders te deel nie,” sê sy. “Ek wil hê dat kinders dié boek moet gebruik om die genot van lees te ervaar, te voel hoe taal hulle kan wegvoer en om meer te leer oor die mense in hulle land.”

NANDI IN KWAZULU, met sy pragtige illustrasies deur Joel Calvó, is ideaal vir kinders tussen nul en vyf, wat saam met hulle ouers lees, asook vir ses- tot sewejariges wat Nandi se verhaal self kan ervaar.

Om vir hierdie ouderdomsgroep te skryf, was ’n opsetlike besluit. “As voorskoolse onderwyser, is ek steeds daagliks verbaas oor jong breine se vermoë om inligting te absorbeer en ervarings met nuuskierigheid en openhartigheid te benader,” sê die skrywer. “Ek glo dat ons ’n wonderlike wêreld vir almal kan smee deur kinders te wys dat diversiteit verrykend is en deur hul gedagtes oop te maak om te leer oor almal wat ons planeet bewoon, uit elke uithoek van die aarde.”

Praline, wat oorspronklik van Durban afkomstig is, woon al seder 1994 in Barcelona, Spanje. Die Montessori-opgeleide onderwyser en ma van drie was nog altyd lief vir skryf en het besluit om tydens die Covid-19-inperking haar droom om ’n kinderboek te skryf te verwesenlik.

María Montessori het gepraat oor fantasie en hoe ons jong breine kan verryk met wonderlike stories wat op ons regte wêreld gebaseer is. Dit het my bygebly, en die resultaat is NANDI IN KWAZULU, ’n fiktiewe verhaal gebaseer in my geboorteland! Ek hoop dat my boek baie hande sal bereik en met soveel klein mensies as moontlik gedeel sal word.”

NANDI IN KWAZULU, uitgegee deur Fox Editions, is beskikbaar by Amazon.

pralinehudson.com

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By Andrew Germishuys

Founder of SAMDB | Actor | Armourer | Tech Enthusiast With over two decades in the film industry, I'm a seasoned actor and skilled armourer. I hold numerous certifications in acting and filmmaking, complemented by degrees and diplomas in IT and technology, giving me a unique blend of creative and technical expertise. When I'm not on set or in the workshop, you'll find me immersed in the world of gaming and VR, fuelling my passion for cutting-edge technology. Connect with me: X / Twitter Facebook Instagram Mastodon Threads Explore my work on SAMDB IMDb